Hi everyone
I got three new books! So happy with these and I'm looking forward to reading them.
- Jonathan French: The True Bastards
- Patrick Rothfuss: The Narrow Road Between Desires
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read any of these! Did you love them? Or maybe you have other recommendations based on these picks?
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
The Teller of Small Fortunes is the debut novel by Julie Leong.
I got my copy from Bol.
"Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling
between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells
"small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid
will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience
that big fortunes come with big consequences…
Even if it’s a
lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small
fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief
and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost
child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure,
and—of course—a slightly magical cat.
Tao sets down a new path
with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she
lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have
to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never
thought she could have."
I really enjoyed this book. It’s easy to read, filled with well-developed characters you can’t help but adore, and packed with adventure and heart.
Tao’s journey is both touching and exciting, and the world feels so vivid and charming!
The magic system is subtle, adding a whimsical touch. It’s the kind of magic that feels natural and cozy, like a gentle breeze rather than a storm.
The only odd part was the side quest for treasure that felt a bit out of the blue. It didn’t add much to the story, no real purpose or depth, just a strange detour that didn’t quite fit. But honestly, it was a minor hiccup in an otherwise delightful, sweet, and lighthearted read.
The Teller of Small Fortunes is cozy, charming, and full of warmth. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling, with characters who feel like old friends by the end. Julie Leong has won me over, whatever she writes next, I’ll be first in line to read it!
Have you read The Teller of Small Fortunes? Did you love it as much as I did? Or are you planning to pick it up? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy was mentioned in another book I recently read so I went searching for it on my e-reader.
"No gimmicks. No Hyperbole. No Magic Bullet. The Compound Effect is based on the principle that decisions shape your destiny. Little, everyday decisions will either take you to the life you desire or to disaster by default. Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine, presents The Compound Effect, a distillation of the fundamental principles that have guided the most phenomenal achievements in business, relationships, and beyond. This easy-to-use, step-by-step operating system allows you to multiply your success, chart your progress, and achieve any desire. If you’re serious about living an extraordinary life, use the power of The Compound Effect to create the success you want."
Unfortunately, I really disliked this book.
First, the tone. Darren Hardy comes across as absolutely full of himself. The writing is riddled with hyperbole, as if he’s invented the wheel rather than presenting a basic, common-sense idea. The constant self-congratulation and over-the-top language made it painful to read. It felt like he was selling a revolution, when in reality, the core idea, small, consistent actions lead to big results, is nothing new.
This idea could have been explained in a single chapter, or even a long essay, without all the fluff and self-promotion.
Have you read The Compound Effect? Did you feel the same way, or did it resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
A Dance of Blades is the second book in the Shadowdance series, written by David Dalglish.
I read this on my e-reader.
"It's been five years since Haern faked his death to escape the tyranny of his father. He has become the Watcher, a vicious killer who knows no limits, and whose hatred of the thief guilds is unrivaled. But when the son of Alyssa Gemcroft, one of the three leaders of the powerful Trifect, is believed murdered, the slaughter begins anew. Mercenaries flood the streets, with one goal in find and kill the Watcher."
I rather enjoyed this book! Dalglish’s writing is easy to read, and the story is packed with action and fighting, it never slows down. The worldbuilding is solid, with a gritty fantasy vibe that keeps you engaged.
That said, there were a few things that frustrated me.
First, Alyssa Gemcroft. She felt completely off; boring, uninterested in anything in her own world, and naive. She lacked the depth and strength of the other characters, and I dreaded her chapters. For someone who’s supposed to be a powerful leader, she came across as weak and underdeveloped.
Second, the characters overall lack depth. Even Haern, the main protagonist, is one of the stupidest main characters I’ve ever read. His decisions often felt unbelievable and frustrating, which made it hard to root for him.
Despite its flaws, A Dance of Blades is still an entertaining read if you’re looking for fast-paced action and a dark, immersive world. Just don’t expect deep character arcs, this is pure, unapologetic action.
Have you read A Dance of Blades or any other books in the Shadowdance series? Did you enjoy the action, or did the characters frustrate you too? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
After reading Philippa Perry's The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read, I really wanted to read her most famous work, The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read. I picked it up on my e-reader, hoping for insightful advice on relationships and life, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite land for me.
"Life is all about relationships and the quality
of those connections, whether that's with family, partners, friends,
colleagues or most importantly yourself. If you can get those
relationships on a functional and even keel, then the other tricky stuff
that life throws your way becomes easier to manage.
In this
warm, practical and witty book, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling
psychotherapist Philippa Perry shows you how to approach life's big
problems.
How do you find and keep love? What can you do to
manage conflict better? How can you get unstuck and cope with change and
loss? What does it mean to you to be content? Are other people just
annoying or are you the problem?
With a healthy dose of sanity, Philippa Perry's compassionate advice could help you become a happier, wiser person."
I didn’t gain much from this book. While the premise is promising, the execution felt lacking. There’s not much here that’s new or groundbreaking, most of the advice is common sense, and the writing style didn’t resonate with me.
Philippa Perry’s approach is less scientific and more conversational, almost like chatting with a well-meaning aunt. While that might work for some, I found the anecdotes and stories about others overwhelming and unnecessary. It felt like filler rather than substance, and I struggled to connect with the book as a result.
Have you read The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read? Did it resonate with you, or did you feel the same way? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
This is my short review for Tasha Suri's Empire of Sand. I got my copy from Bol.com.
Empire of Sand is the first book in Suri's duology The Books of Ambha.
"Mehr is a girl trapped between two cultures. Her
father comes from the ruling classes of the empire, but her mother’s
people were outcasts, Amrithi nomads who worshipped the spirits of the
sands.
Caught one night performing these forbidden rites, Mehr is
brought to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, who try
to force her into their service by way of an arranged marriage. If she
fails in their bidding, the gods themselves may awaken and seek
vengeance…"
This was really mediocre and I won't be continuing this series. I might read something else from her.
I couldn't feel anything for the story or the characters. I didn't care what happened to them, what they did or felt. The magic/religion felt rather ridiculous and I frequently rolled my eyes reading about something new concerning Mehr's heritage etc.
The writing was good and there was a great atmosphere throughout the book but the plot was too slow and I didn't connect with the characters.
Happy reading!
Helena
Hi everyone
February is finally over. Just like January, I feel like these months are double the actual days. March holds the promise of at least some sun and the beginning of springflowers. Autumn and Winter in Belgium are cold, grey and very rainy.
It 'made' me spent most evenings (after my daughters were asleep) on the couch with tea and a book.
Here's what I read in February:
- Greg Pizzoli: Worstje en zijn vrienden
- Sam Harris: The End of Faith
- Sarah Andersen: Adulthood Is a Myth
What did you read?
Happy reading!
Helena
